White Oak Court, Dementia Café Swanley, Kent Emma Kent – Housing Services Manager (erosh Hon. Secretary & Trustee) CIH Older People’s Housing Conference 1 & 2 August 2012 The Dementia Café • A welcoming, relaxed setting where people can share/discuss their experiences of dementia • Inspired by the Alzheimer’s Café concept, pioneered by Dr Bère Miesen, Netherlands 1997 • Improve awareness, information, support and advice • Programme of ‘themed topics’ • Living well with Dementia Alzheimer's & Dementia S UP P O R T S E RV I C E S White Oak Court, Dementia Cafe - Aims • Prevent and reduce social isolation for people living with dementia, their carers and families • Improve public and professional awareness and understanding of dementia • Build relationships and encourage support between people who attend the café • Provide information, support and advice about living well with dementia • Have fun Alzheimer's & Dementia S UP P O R T S E RV I C E S Structure • Presentation • Discussion • Refreshments • Activity • Entertainment Alzheimer's & Dementia S UP P O R T S E RV I C E S Our Partnership • Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Services • West Kent Housing Association (West Kent) • Health & Social Care • Volunteers Alzheimer's & Dementia S UP P O R T S E RV I C E S Learning from each other… “The café is an excellent opportunity to gain insight; to find out how people feel about dementia and how they cope day to day” Rosie, student social worker Alzheimer's & Dementia S UP P O R T S E RV I C E S Our Customers "At first I didn't want to admit that I had it. But here it is accepted and that has helped me to come to terms with my future" Tom, local resident "I think it's a wonderful place to be with people who are going through the same experiences as you” Jess, wife and carer "You feel that you are just lost in the wilderness, attending the cafe has been a lifeline for us" Alice and Kim, mother and daughter Alzheimer's & Dementia S UP P O R T S E RV I C E S Emma Kent, West Kent Housing Association Telephone: 01732 749491 email: emma.kent@wkha.org.uk www.westkent.org erosh Hon. Secretary & Trustee email: info@erosh.co.uk Twitter: @erosh_uk www.erosh.co.uk Alzheimer's & Dementia S UP P O R T S E RV I C E S